Thursday, 18 Jun 2015

Written Answers Nos. 196-206

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Ceisteanna (196)

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

196. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the commitment he provided in Dáil Éireann, and in a Department press statement dated 19 February 2015, that the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes would shortly announce details of how members of the public will be able to contact the commission, or make submissions to inform the commission’s work, the clear implication and public expectation that this initial stage of the commission's work as interpreted by him extends to all members of the public who wish to make a submission, and not just to the comparatively few remaining members of the public, out of the tens of thousands, who spent time in the mother and baby homes, identified in the inquiry's terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24457/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

As outlined in my reply to the Deputy last week, a Commission of Investigation is completely independent in the conduct of its investigations. Therefore the precise timing and approach to its work is a matter for the Commission to decide and progress.

I would note however, that the Commissions website www.mbhcoi.ie states that in addition to former residents and employees, they would also like to hear directly from other persons with personal knowledge of the matters under investigation. The Commission website mentions as examples family members of residents and regular visitors or suppliers to the homes. The website also confirms that the Commission will meet in person with former residents and employees and "others with relevant information".

Persons wishing to contact the Commission directly may do so by writing to: Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, 73 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, email [e-mail] or by using the confidential freephone number 1800 806688.

Adoption Legislation

Ceisteanna (197)

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

197. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason behind the extraordinary delays that his department is encountering in the preparation of adoption tracing and information legislation; the number of officials dedicated to the drafting of such legislation; the number of hours per year that have been spent on the drafting of this legislation during the years 2011 to 2014 and to date in 2015; his views on the reason preliminary legislation that he is proposing to take to Committee Stage, where it may be fundamentally amended in any event, is taking so long to draft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24475/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

As I have stated on a number of occasions complex legal and constitutional issues arise in the drafting of the Adoption Information and Tracing Bill. A particular challenge has arisen in the attempt to reconcile an adopted person’s request for information about his or her identity with the right to privacy of his or her birth parent. My Department has had on going consultation with the Office of the Attorney General on this and on a number of related issues. I am proposing as progressive an approach as is possible within the significant legal and operational complexities which arise in giving effect to this objective. I continue to explore how far the Government can go in building into legislation that right of the adopted person to get access to information without breaching the Constitution and due to the ongoing discussions, the Heads of Bill have not yet been finalised.

It is my intention to have the General Scheme and Heads of Bill finalised as soon as possible and submitted for the consideration of Government, in advance of referral to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. This will be the subject of consultation with all relevant Government Departments in advance.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (198)

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

198. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of equipment in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if his Department will consider revising its decision not to provide funding for a piece of equipment, based on strong medical advice outlining the necessity for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24399/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (199)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

199. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the supports available to assist children who have impaired hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24224/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (200)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

200. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the way children with impaired hearing can receive cochlear implants; who sets out the rules and procedures for accessing this service; the amount of funding provided on an annual basis for this service; the location of hospitals where implants take place; if follow-up appointments are available in hospitals outside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24225/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (201)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

201. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be admitted to Saint James Hospital for a hernia repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24226/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to the further query raised by you, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (202)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

202. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a medical application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24228/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (203)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24229/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (204)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

204. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, has made a decision to re-assign a surgical ward (details supplied) into a long-term care of the elderly ward; if he will ascertain the assessment of the impact of the loss of 34 surgical beds on patient outcomes that has been undertaken by Beaumont Hospital; the way such a move may improve the situation for the 6,162 persons on the day case / in patient waiting lists in the hospital, which is the second highest number in the country, and an increase of more than 1,000 over the past twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24234/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Suicide Prevention

Ceisteanna (205)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

205. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the range of services available to persons in counties Cork and Kerry presenting with consideration of suicide; the times these respective services are available; if he is satisfied the services are effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24241/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (206)

Colm Keaveney

Ceist:

206. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that despite two previous requests, University Hospital Galway refuses to offer a person (details supplied) in County Galway critical surgery, and that in view of the duration of the delay with regard to this vital surgery this person is suffering continuous excruciating pain; if he will intervene with the Health Service Executive to secure a date, in view of its repeated response not to offer an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24242/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to your further query in this case, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.